Log debarking apparatus

ABSTRACT

A log debarking apparatus includes a drum supported in horizontal relation with power means for rotating the drum. Chain flails are supported on the drum and as the drum is rotated it engages a log and debarks the log. Log support means are mounted at each end of the drum and are rotatable so as to move the log circumferentially of the drum as the drum rotates and log engaging means support the log during such movement and rotation. The log engaging means are pivotally mounted and include means which tend to urge the log toward the rotating drum to aid in positioning and grinding the log during the debarking thereof.

United States Patent I 11 1 Q 1 Fay et al. 1 Jan. 28, 1975 1 41 LOG DEBARKING APPARATUS 2.893.451 7/1959 Dickerson 144/208 1 2,901,011 8/1959 Eaton 1 144/208 J [76] Inventors: Chmo" 3315 3,825,192 7/1974 Knight 241/186 R Freshmeadows, Houston, Tex. 77042; Neil H. Akkerman, 3502 Corondo Ct., Houston, Tex. 77005 'l L'w"m,wr Andrcw Juhasz Assistant ExammerW. D. Bray [22] Filed: Feb. 8, 1974 Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Jack W. Haydon [2]] Appl. No.: 440,713

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 144/208 J, 144/208 B, 241/186 R. A log debarking apparatus includes a drum supported 241/1894 in horizontal relation with power means for rotating Cl. drum Chain are upported on the drum and Field of Search 144/2081, 208 208 J, as the drum is rotated it engages a log and debarks the 144/208 F; 241/186 R, 132211864 g. Log support means are mounted at each end of the drum and are rotatable so as to move the log cir- 1 References Cited Cumferentially of the drum as the drum rotates and log UNITED STATES PATENTS engaging means support the log during such move- 1,552.49s 9/1925 Noyes 144/208 J ment and rotation The log engaging means are p 1 953 194 4 1934 sh 144/203 ally mounted and include means which tend to urge 2,436,555 2/1948 Daniel] 1 144/208 J the log toward the rotating drum to aid in positioning 2, 1,92 2/1949 Robertson 44/2 1 X and grinding the log during the debarking thereof. 2,839,106 6/1958 Mueller t 144/208 J 2,8550] 1 10/1958 Dillingham 144/208 J X 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 2a 77 77 71 11 11"1l"1l 1 11 all in r g W A V m r7! P i? i z? 5' f1 3/ 40 40 15 i 9 3Jaq- 7 Z! l 22 [j j E] 22 1 H 11 11 115' 15 1 14 15. 15 WE 7/ 1-. E E z Ll 29b i-L Q Q Q I r 5 30 30 PATENTEB JAN 2 8 I975 SHEET 10F 4 PATETEB MHZ 81975 SHEEI 2 BF d if c PATENIED 3,8629653 SHEET 3 OF 4 PATENIED JAN 28 I975 SHEET s 0F &

1 LOG DEBARKING APPARATUS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION .structure and does not provide an arrangement which has a minimum of structure for horizontally mounting a drum having chain flails thereon with means for rotating the drum and for supporting a log adjacent such drum and moving the log circumferentially of the drum as the drum rotates while additional log engaging means tend to urge the log towards the drum for engagement with the flails for debarking thereof and guides the movement of the log as it moves circumfer entially of the drum.

An object of the present invention is to provide a relative simple structure for a log debarking apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a horizontally rotatably mounted drum having chain flails carried thereby for engaging a log upon rotation of the drum to debark the log.

Still another object of the present invention isto provide a horizontally rotatably mounted drum having chain flails carried thereby for engaging a log upon rotation of the drum to debark the log and log support means mounted adjacent each end of the drum and ro-.v

tatable relative to the drum for moving the log circumferentially of the drum as it rotates.

Still another object of the'presentinvention is to provide a horizontally rotatably mounted drum having chain flails carried thereby for engaging a log upon ro-' tation of the drum to debark the log and log support means mounted adjacent each end of the drum and rotatable relative to the drum for moving the log circumferentially of the drum as it rotates and log engaging means pivotally mounted in spaced relation relative to the drum and means for urging said log engaging means toward the drum whereby the log is engaged as it is moved by said support means to aid in positioning, guiding and rotating the log during its movement and debarking.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a horizontally rotatable drum having chain flails for debarking a log, log support means including projections which extend beyond the circumference of the drum and are rotatably mounted at each end of the drum for supporting a log and moving the log circumferentially about the drum as the drum is rotated and log engaging means for urging the log towards the chain flails to aid in positioning, rotating, guiding and engaging the logs as they are moved about the drum for debarking thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the horizontal drum, the log support means at each end of the drum and the log engaging means as well as the drive means for the drum and the log support means and a form of means for urging the log engaging means toward the drum;

FIG. 2 is an end view of FIG. 1 illustrating in greater detail the arrangement of the drive means for the drum and the log support means as well as the spaced relationship ofthe log engaging means to the drum and one arrangement for continuously urging thelog engaging means towards the drum;

FIG. 3 is an opposite end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 illustrating in greater detail a preferred form of support of the drum for rotation and an arrangement for supporting the chain flails on the drum;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing in greater detail one arrangement for supporting the chain flails on the drum;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a log resting on the log support means and moving intoengagement with the chain flails supported on therotating drum;

FIG. 7 illustrates the relationship of the log engaging means to the rotating drum and the rotating log support means after the log has been engaged by the chain flails and moved circumferentially of the drum for debarking thereof;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein the present invention is referred to generally by the numeral 20 and is shown as including the drum 21 which is mounted on the shafts 22 to position the drum in horizontal relationship. The drum 21 is provided with. a plurality of chain flails 25 supported thereon so that when the drum is rotated, such chain flails, upon striking a log positioned adjacent the drum and moved circumferentially relative to the drum, cause the log to rotateand simultaneously debark the log. Log supporting means referred to generally at 30 are mounted adjacent each end of the drum 21 and are carried by bearings 31 on shaft 22 so that such log sup port means may rotate relative to the drum 21 as the drum 21 is rotated to move the log circumferentially of the drum 2].

Log engaging means referred to generally at 40 are spaced longitudinally along and away from the drum 21, and are pivotally mounted as indicated generally at 45. The log engaging means 40 engages the log as the log is moved circumferentially about the rotating drum 21 by the drum support means 30 and are curved and are also provided with means referred to generally at 50 for urging such log engaging means towards.the drum to aid in properly positioning the log. The log en-, gaging means 40, along with the supports 30 and flails 25 cause the log to rotate as it is moved along the drum 21, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

A suitable power source may be provided for rotating the drum 21 and as illustrated, a universal joint 28 is provided so that if desired, a power takeoff from any suitable power source may be employed to rotate universal joint 28 and connected shaft 29 as well as sprockets 29a mounted thereon. A plurality of chains or belts 29b extend between the sprockets 29a and sprocket 290 to impart rotation to the sprockets 290 which are mounted on the shaft 22. The sprockets 29a and the shaft 29 are rotatably carried by the frame 33, which frame provides support for bearing means 33a for the shaft 22, as well as the other structure of the present invention. The drum 21 may be rotated at any desired rate of speed to accomplish the desired function. To transmit rotation of the shaft 22 to the drum 21 the hub 22a, as shown more clearly in FIG. 4, is mounted on the shaft 22, and the hub 22 is provided with an inflatable element 22b such as a vehicle tire so that when the shaft 22 is rotated, rotation is imparted to the hub 22a and vehicle tire 22b which engages the interior of the drum at each end thereof as shown in FIG. 4. This construction not only transmits power from the shaft 22 to the drum, but holds the drum 21 concentric with the shaft 22 during rotation thereof and operation of the present invention.

The flails 25 and their manner of mounting on the drum 21 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 and it will be noted that a plurality of longitudinally extending rods 51 are circumferentially spaced about the drum 21 as shown in FIGS.'5, 6, and 7. The rods 51 may be secured in the drum'in any suitable manner if desired, however, the chain flails 25 extend through openings 21a in the drum and the link-25a of the chain flails 25 is provided with an opening 25b for engaging with the rod 51. Thus, when the chain flails 25 are'engaged with the rod 51, they serve'to position the rods 51 in positionwithin the drum since the chain flails extendthrough openings 21a in the drum as'shown in FIG. 5 of the drawing. Each of the chain flails 25 includes a sharp outer end 250 for-engaging the log to debark the log as will be described.

As previously noted, the log support means is rotatably supported on the shaft 22 by the bearing means of 31 so that such support means 30 maybe rotated relative to the drum 21 and shaft 22 as the drum 21 rotates to thereby move the log carried on the support means circumferentially about the drum as the log is debarked. In FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 the drive arrangement for the support means 30 is illustrated in greater detail. In FIG.1 such drive means as referred tov generally by the numeral 70 and includes a suitable gear reduction train referred to generally at 71 including the sprockets 72 and 73 actuated by motor 70. The sprocket 73 is carried on the shaft means 75 that extends longitudinally and in spaced relation relative to the drum 21 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. -A sprocket 77 is mounted on the shaft 75 at each end of the drum 21 and a sprocket 78 is mounted on the bearing 31 at each end of the drum 21. The sprockets 77 and 78 are connected together by suitable chain or belt drives 79 so that when the power source 70 is rotated, rotation is imparted through the gear reduction train 71 to the shaft 7.5. Rotation of the shaft 75 causes the sprockets '77 and 78 to rotate and this rotates the log support FIGS. 6 and 7, the circumferentially spaced projections 30a further include the projections 30b carried thereby and it is intended that the end of the logs will abut against the projections 30a and be carried on the projections 30b. It will be noted that the projections 30a as well as the projections 30b extend outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the drum 21 as more clearly seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings.

The log engaging means 40 is pivotally mounted by the bearing means 80 on the shaft 75 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings as well as illustrated in FIGS, 6 and 7 of the drawings, and in the form illustrated, the log engaging means include a plurality of curved members 40a that are spaced longitudinally along and away from the drum 21 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

The log engaging means 40 also includes the arrangement referred to generally at forurging the log engaging means 40 towards to drum21 to aid in properly position the log as it is moved circumferentially of the drum to be engaged by the flails 25, and more particularly the cutting ends 25c thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, such arrangement includes counterweights 50a carried on the supports 50b which support is connected to the bracket 80 at its upper end and includes the additional framework members 50c, 50d and 50e, the member 50c engaging the member 50b at one end and the lower end of the frame 33.at its other end, with the member 50d being connected to the member 50b as shown at one end and to the curved number 40a at its other end. Similarly the number 50e is connected at one end to the 500 adjacent frame 33 and at its other end is connected to the curved member 40a as shown in FIGS. 6-and 7 ofthe drawings. It can be appreciated that any suitable arrangement for urging the curved members 40a toward the drum 21 may be provided, such as hydraulic cylinders or the like, and the counterweights 50a are for purposes of illustration only.

If desired, a suitable feed mechanism as represented generally at 90 may be employed whereby logs such as the log 91 shown in FIG. 6 may be moved to the top of the apparatus for movement into the space between the members 4021 and drum 21 for debarking. f

Power is supplied to rotate the drum 21 whereupon the chain flails 25 rotate with the drum 21 and power is supplied torotate the log supports 30. When the log 91 is dropped into position between the drum 21 and the log engaging means 40 spaced from such drum, it will come to rest on the projections 30b as shown in FIG. 6. As previously noted, the log engaging means 30 including the projections 30b are rotating, and thus the log 91 is being moved relative to the circumference of the rotating drum 21 and the chain flails 25 thereon. The diameter of the log 91 will determine when it comes in contact with the chain flails 25, and when this occurs impingement of the flails 25 against the surface of the log 91 debark the log. The arrangement of the support 30, engaging means 40 along with the action of flails 25 tend torotate the log in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 92 in FIG.-7.

The log engaging means 40 along with the means 50 for urging the log engaging means 40 toward the drum 21 in a resilient manner aid in maintaining the log 91 in position so that it will be engaged by the flails 21 as the log 91 is moved circumferentially of the rotating drum 21. It should be noted however, that the log engaging means 40 is such that it will permit the log 91 to be ejected from the apparatus after it has moved therethrough. Normally, the log 91 will be rotated one time as it moves through the apparatus for engagement by the chain flails 25 to debark the log. Of course, the pressure applied by the log engaging apparatus 40 maybe varied by the means 50 which tends to urge the curved members 40a of the log engaging apparatus towards the drum 21.

Preferably the curved members 40a are each provided with a serrated surface 40b to aid in maintaining contact with the log 91 engaged thereby as such log is moved circumferentially of the rotating drum 21 by the logs support means 30.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the inven' tion.

What is claimed is:

l. A log debarking apparatus comprising:

a. a drum;

b. drum support means, supporting said drum in a substantially horizontal relation;

c. a plurality of chain flails supported by said drum for striking the log upon rotation of said drum;

(1. means for rotating said drum;

e. log support means rotatably mounted adjacent each end of said drum;

f. means for rotating said log support means;

g. curved log engaging meanspivotally mounted adjacent said drum; and

h. means for urging said log engaging means toward said drum whereby a log engaged thereby is urged against said flails as said drum rotates.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said drum support includes:

a. a frame;

b. shaft means rotatably supported on said frame;

0. hub means mounted on said shaft means;

d. an inflatable element carried on said hub means and engaged in each end of said drum for transmitting rotation of said shaft means to said drum.

3. The invention of claim 1 including:

a. a plurality of rods. circumferentially spaced within said drum; and

b. means for securing one end of said flails to said rods.

'4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said log support means includes projections extending beyond said drum and wherein said rotating means for said log support means includes:

a. a power source;

b. shaft means extending longitudinally of said drum means;

0. means connecting said shaft means for rotation by said power means; and

d. means connecting said shaft means to each of said log support means for simultaneous rotation thereof.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said log engaging means includes a serrated surface thereon to aid in engaging and urging the log toward said flails. 

1. A log debarking apparatus comprising: a. a drum; b. drum support means, supporting said drum in a substantially horizontal relation; c. a plurality of chain flails supported by said drum for striking the log upon rotation of said drum; d. means for rotating said drum; e. log support means rotatably mounted adjacent each end of said drum; f. means for rotating said log support means; g. curved log engaging means pivotally mounted adjacent said drum; and h. means for urging said log engaging means toward said drum whereby a log engaged thereby is urged against said flails as said drum rotates.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said drum support includes: a. a frame; b. shaft means rotatably supported on said frame; c. hub means mounted on said shaft means; d. an inflatable element carried on said hub means and engaged in each end of said drum for transmitting rotation of said shaft means to said drum.
 3. The invention of claim 1 including: a. a plurality of rods, circumferentially spaced within said drum; and b. means for securing one end of said flails to said rods.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said log support means includes projections extending beyond said drum and wherein said rotating means for said log support means includes: a. a power source; b. shaft means extending longitudinally of said drum means; c. means connecting said shaft means for rotation by said power means; and d. means connecting said shaft means to each of said log support means for simultaneous rotation thereof.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said log engaging means includes a serrated surface thereon to aid in engaging and urging the log toward said flails. 